Scotland win first match " FIFA World Cup 2026 "

England friendly in Orlando was due to kick off at 9pm UK time but delayed by at least an hour due to a storm, could even be called off.

Something we'll have to get used to in the World Cup.

Don't know why they decided to have a friendly in Orlando of all places, well known the rain can be bad there.

BBC and ITV presenters, commentators and pundits for the World Cup below.

The BBC will present their coverage from their studios in Salford, at least for the group stages. Commentators and co-commentators will obviously be in the US - as will Shearer and Richards, as they are hosting their podcast from the US.

ITV's coverage is based in New York for the duration of the tournament. Neville, Keane, Wright and Carragher will also host their podcast from the US.

BBC

Kelly Cates

Mark Chapman

Gabby Logan

Alex Scott

Alan Shearer

Wayne Rooney

Micah Richards

Joe Hart

Paul Robinson

Steph Houghton

Ellen White

Danny Murphy

Scott Brown

Rachel Corsie

James McFadden

Olivier Giroud

Gaël Clichy

César Azpilicueta

Benni McCarthy

Ashley Williams

Thomas Frank

Darren Cann

Guy Mowbray

Steve Wilson

Steve Bower

Jonathan Pearce

Robyn Cowen

Steven Wyeth

Liam McLeod

Danny Murphy

Stephen Warnock

Efan Ekoku

Martin Keown

Sue Smith

ITV

Mark Pougatch

Laura Woods

Semra Hunter

Roy Keane

Ian Wright

Gary Neville

Patrick Vieira

Karen Carney

Ange Postecoglou

Juan Mata

Emma Hayes

Duncan Ferguson

Jobi McAnuff

Bradley Wright-Phillips

Sam Matterface

Jon Champion

Seb Hutchinson

Joe Speight

Lee Dixon

Ally McCoist

Andros Townsend

Lucy Ward

The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on Thursday night with Mexico v South Africa in Mexico City, 8pm UK time kick off.

That is followed by South Korea v Czech Republic at 3am in Zapopan.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on Thursday night with Mexico v South Africa in Mexico City, 8pm UK time kick off.

That is followed by South Korea v Czech Republic at 3am in Zapopan.

Crisps and beer ready.

The Estadio Azteca does look an impressive stadium to be fair.

Here we go guys!

60 year old stadium the most world cup games played there than any other.

5 and half weeks of football.

Mexico score the first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Big mistake by the South Africa defender.

First blood to the Mexicans.

He's 35 now but Raul Jimenez will be dangerous for Wolves in the Championship next season, can see him getting plenty of goals.

HT: Mexico 1-0 South Africa

Mexico the much better team and could be ahead by more.

First red card of the tournament.

Yaya Sithole sent off for South Africa. Referee had no choice.

Raul Jimenez makes it 2-0 to Mexico and that should secure the win for them.

Another red card for South Africa.

And now a red card for Mexico.

FT: Mexico 2-0 South Africa

Mexico get a deserved win in the opening game of the World Cup.

There were three red cards shown, two to South Africa and one to Mexico.

The supposed best refs in the world hands out 3 red cards first game of
world cup ?

The supposed best refs in the world hands out 3 red cards first game of
world cup ?

I thought the first red was right, second was debatable but can see why it was given and the third red I don't agree with - very harsh.

The supposed best refs in the world hands out 3 red cards first game of
world cup ?

I thought the first red was right, second was debatable but can see why it was given and the third red I don't agree with - very harsh.

He was consistent 3 reds 3 yellows .

Mexico are going to be difficult to beat at home

Mexico are going to be difficult to beat at home

Prior to this game they had only lost 2 out of 85 games in that stadium

Mexico are going to be difficult to beat at home

Prior to this game they had only lost 2 out of 85 games in that stadium

Good stat

The supposed best refs in the world hands out 3 red cards first game of
world cup ?

I thought the first red was right, second was debatable but can see why it was given and the third red I don't agree with - very harsh.

Qatar 4 reds all taunement!
This one 3 in 1st game?

The supposed best refs in the world hands out 3 red cards first game of
world cup ?

I thought the first red was right, second was debatable but can see why it was given and the third red I don't agree with - very harsh.

I agree about the first 2 but I was surprised to see the third red, I was fully expecting a yellow for that one.

The supposed best refs in the world hands out 3 red cards first game of
world cup ?

I thought the first red was right, second was debatable but can see why it was given and the third red I don't agree with - very harsh.

Qatar 4 reds all taunement!
This one 3 in 1st game?

And more to come Al .

The supposed best refs in the world hands out 3 red cards first game of
world cup ?

I thought the first red was right, second was debatable but can see why it was given and the third red I don't agree with - very harsh.

Pretty much how I saw it; the ‘professional’ foul would not have been given in a ‘run of the mill’ game, IMHO

Empty seats in this Korea/chezch match, 80% full. Not great. South Korea look decent, they play with a fast tempo, not ticky tacka

Ian Wright on ITV: "Over here [in the States] they've got no idea about the spirit of the game. They told us 'keep politics out of sport' but what about now and what they’ve been doing?

Every team was cheered at the World Cup opening ceremony in Mexico.

Except the USA and Infantino, they both received large boos.